Swiss scientists find molecular antidote for deadly coronavirus

Scientists believe they have found a molecular antidote for the novel coronavirus that has already claimed many lives in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Report says, citing Izvestiya, that the molecule may help fight the 'Chinese coronavirus' 2019-nCoV.

Today there is no cure against the actively spreading coronavirus. But in 2014, Swiss scientists revealed the K22 molecule to create an antidote for MERS, a coronavirus transferring from camels and bats to humans. The creation of the remedy was then postponed for financial reasons.

The antidote was mentioned again amid the coronavirus 2019-nCoV outbreak and K22 may be a potential 'candidate.'

The death toll from the novel coronavirus in the Chinese province of Hubei has grown to 125 people. As many as 3,554 people have been infected.

While Chinese authorities are taking steps to curb the virus, several countries, including Cambodia, the United States, Australia, and Japan, have already reported cases of infection.

Azerbaijan has not seen any cases of infection but is taking steps to prevent the virus from penetrating the country. In particular, as the border checkpoints have shifted to an enhanced mode of operation, all people arriving from China will undergo strict medical checkups and control. The country will prepare a list of particularly risky foods and toughen control over them in the market.

Seven Azerbaijanis receive education in a coronavirus-stricken area in China. Since the Chinese government considers it dangerous to evacuate anyone from this zone, the embassy keeps in touch with the students to learn about their condition.

Meanwhile, twelve people have been hospitalized in Turkey for suspected coronavirus. The tests taken from the patients were sent to the Health Ministry of the country. Until the results are received, the tourists will stay in a particular infectious disease department of a local hospital.